Progress in IT adoption in the dental care industry

「Meanwhile, in line with the launch of lifelong dental checkups, commonly known as the universal dental checkup system, NHK and commercial broadcasters have reported on the effects of periodontal disease on systemic conditions such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis and dementia. Public awareness is shifting “from treatment to prevention.”」

「In Japan, efforts relating to medical digital transformation are currently under way, including the “creation of a nationwide healthcare platform,” “standardisation of electronic medical record information” and “DX for revisions to medical service fees.”」

「As medical digital transformation began to move forward in earnest following the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's announcement in June 2023 of the “Roadmap for Promoting Medical Digital Transformation,”」

「In addition, in communications issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on 19 November 2023, the company noted that the scope of online eligibility verification had been expanded to medical assistance for public assistance recipients.」

「The company indicated that promoting digital transformation in dental care going forward is one of the issues the country must address urgently.」

「To address these circumstances, the government established the Headquarters for the Promotion of Medical Digital Transformation with the aim of providing “more efficient, effective and high-quality medical services.” Specific measures include the launch of electronic prescriptions in January and the principle of mandatory implementation of online eligibility verification at medical institutions from April. The need for IT adoption is also expected to continue growing in the dental care industry.」

「As of 4 January 2023, approximately 83 million applications for My Number Cards had been submitted, exceeding the number of driver's licenses issued. As their adoption continues to spread, digital transformation in the dental care industry is expected to accelerate.」

「An advisory report was issued on a proposed revision to the Regulations for Insured Medical Institutions and other rules that would, in principle, require the introduction of an online eligibility verification system using My Number Cards from April 2023. In addition, on 13 October 2022, the government announced that it would abolish the health insurance cards then in use as early as autumn 2024, further advancing digitalization and digital transformation aimed at reducing the workload of healthcare professionals and improving operational efficiency.」

「In the dental care industry, discussions on the government-led introduction of the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems are progressing. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has made it a principle that all hospitals must introduce, by April 2023, the systems required to operate the My Number health insurance card, which adds health insurance card functions to My Number Cards. In addition, the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2022, approved by the Cabinet on 7 June 2022, includes measures for the dental industry such as the specific consideration of universal dental checkups and the promotion of ICT use. The promotion of digital transformation in dental care is therefore expected to accelerate as digital health becomes more active.」

「Demand is increasing for systems aimed at improving productivity and operational efficiency through digital transformation of in-clinic operations, while policies are also considering dental care systems and approaches to treatment that use ICT, including online consultations.」

「Amid continuing uncertainty in the dental care industry, efforts toward digitalization and digital transformation, including reducing the workload of healthcare professionals and improving operational efficiency, are being accelerated. In addition, the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems began operating on 20 October 2021, and digitalization is also being promoted as a government policy. Going forward, digitalization and cashless payments are expected to advance in the operation of dental clinics as well.」

「In addition, the project for the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, including the use of My Number Cards as health insurance cards, is progressing following the start of operations on 20 October 2021.」

「Digitalization, including the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems, is advancing in the dental care industry, and demand for investment in system upgrades aimed at improving the operational efficiency of dental clinics is beginning to increase.」

「The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has also become more significant in the dental care industry, where the use of IT equipment for the digitalization of dental care is becoming more widespread and operating methods suited to the so-called era of living with COVID-19 are being established. In addition, the full-scale introduction of the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has begun, and digitalization is also being promoted as a government policy with the establishment of the Digital Agency scheduled for September 2021.」

「In the dental care industry, the use of IT equipment in connection with dental clinics' reviews of consultation hours, staffing levels and treatment methods is becoming more widespread, and operating methods suited to the so-called era of living with COVID-19 are being established. In addition, the project for the Online Eligibility Verification System and other systems promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is providing support, and momentum for the adoption of IT in the dental care industry is building.」